Delaware will be the last state to hold its primary elections on September 15, which will officially kick off general election season. It’s a busy election year, with voters selecting 36 governors, 30 attorneys general, and representatives in 88 state legislative chambers. Both parties will be looking to establish trifectas, when one party controls both chambers of the legislature and the governorship. At present, Republicans hold 23 trifectas, Democrats control 16 and 11 states have a divided government
Gubernatorial Matchups
There are many competitive gubernatorial races this year, with some of the most closely watched in Georgia, Iowa and Nevada.
Georgia’s gubernatorial race finds former Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms facing off against Republican health care executive Rick Jackson. Polling shows a tight race, as Democrats look to make gains in a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent election cycles.
Iowa has an open seat this year, setting up a race between Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand and Republican businessman Zach Lahn. Auditor Sand enters the race as one of the strongest Democratic candidates in Iowa in recent years, while Lahn emerged from a contentious five-way Republican primary. Despite an endorsement from Republican President Donald Trump for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, Republican voters narrowly selected Lahn, highlighting divisions within the GOP coalition.
In Nevada, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is running for a second term against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. The structural dynamics of the race cut in competing directions. With the exception of 2018, Republicans have won every gubernatorial election in Nevada since 1998. But the state has leaned toward Democrats at the federal level for most of that same period, Nevada backed Republican President Donald Trump by only about three percentage points in 2024, making it among the most narrowly competitive states in the country.
Other races to watch are in Alaska, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Legislative Races
There will be several legislative chambers up for grabs this year in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The Pennsylvania legislature has some of the smallest majorities in the country, where Democrats control the House with a narrow 102-100 majority. With all 203 House seats up for election, Democrats want to give themselves some breathing room by expanding that majority, while Republicans are hoping to take control of a chamber considered as one that could be flipped. Republicans, on the other hand, control the Senate with a three-seat majority. With Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro likely to be re-elected, Senate Democrats only need to pick up two seats to set the chamber’s agenda and decide what bills are voted on, since Democratic Lt. Gov. Austin Davis can break ties on procedural matters. Just three Senate districts are expected to competitive this year, meaning Democrats will need to sweep them all while retaining their current seats.
The Rest of the Ballot
Of the 30 races for attorney general, Iowa, Georgia, Nevada are shaping up to be the most competitive. Although races in other swing states like Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin could be close too.
Voters will also decide on 164 ballot measures in states across the country in November. For more detailed ballot measure tracking, and race-by-race election analysis, check out FOCUS’ 2026 State Elections Hub where we will continue to monitor state elections and their outcomes.
by Will Beacom 9/14/26
